Paying for care you receive at home

The services you get are based on your needs. The charge is based on your ability to pay. A charge is only made if your assessable income is over the income threshold set by the Scottish Government. Many people will pay nothing, or will only contribute towards part of the cost.

Any welfare benefits you get are included in your income for assessment purposes - except:

the mobility component of the disability living allowance

the MOD component of the war widows pension

war disablement pension

We'll offer you a benefits entitlement check to make sure you are getting all the benefits you're entitled to.

Our charging policy

Our Charging Policy (pdf 261KB) explains how we consider and calculate a person’s ability to contribute towards their care and support services.

If you have any questions about care and support charges or need more information please call us on:

Paying for services when you're discharged from hospital

It depends on your circumstances if you have to pay for services when you're discharged from hospital. You're entitled to an assessment of your needs by a homecare supervisor after being discharged. They'll let you know what care you can get and if you need to pay for it. After the assessment you may get up to a maximum of 42 days care free of charge, if you're 65 or over.

You may need ongoing care. Your care needs are re-assessed after 42 days. Some of this care may be chargeable. Your homecare supervisor will tell you if you need to pay.

The hospital will contact the appropriate homecare supervisor before you're discharged so the necessary arrangements for care packages are in place before you go home.

If you've been discharged and aren't coping you, a member of your family or anyone else, can contact us and ask for an assessment. Please contact your local social work office.

Paying for your care if you move into a care home

If you move into a care home, temporarily or permanently, you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of your care from your income or capital.

Selling your home to meet your care costs

When you move into a care home you may be able to make an agreement with us to part pay your fees and settle the balance from your estate later instead of selling your home. This is called a deferred payment.

A deferred payment agreement is a legal agreement between us - the local authority - and you. It identifies the portion of your care home fees to be deferred and gives us a standard security over your home to cover the deferred amount.